Marko Arnautovic’s proposed move to China shows that money talks louder than loyalty in today’s game. West Ham deserved better from their talisman

In the book Brave New World, Mauricio Pochettino tells of the moment Kyle Walker informed him he wanted to leave Tottenham Hotspur. This was getting towards the end of the 2016-17 season and Spurs were still fighting for the Premier League and into the last four of the FA Cup. The full-back explained to the manager that after eight years, his heart was no longer in Tottenham.

Perhaps Walker’s diminished love related to the growing threat to his place presented by Kieran Trippier, who was then a rising star. Maybe Walker already knew Pep Guardiola wanted him at Manchester City. Pochettino told him that with Tottenham having so much to play for, he needed to remain focused and professional. Walker’s concern, though, was personal. He…

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